A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is necessary to play online multiplayer games on the Switch, but some may be signed up for it primarily to play its library of retro games. Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions get players access to classic NES and SNES titles, while those that sign up for the pricier Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack also get access to Sega Genesis and Nintendo 64 games as well.
Rumors have been persistent that Nintendo plans on expanding the retro games available through Nintendo Switch Online in the near future by adding games from its handheld systems. Recently, there's been evidence that Game Boy Advance games could be coming to Nintendo Switch Online in particular, and while an official announcement has not been made, it seems a whopping 39 games have been tested for it.
Dataminer MondoMega has discovered a list of Game Boy Advance titles that have been tested for Nintendo Switch Online. It includes nearly all the major Game Boy Advance games that one would expect to see from such a service, including heavy hitters like The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap, Metroid Fusion, and more. However, fans should keep in mind that even if Game Boy Advance games come to Nintendo Switch Online as rumored, there's no guarantee that all these titles will be included.
Nintendo Switch Online GBA Games Leaked List
- Astro Boy: Omega Factor
- Car Battler Joe
- Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
- Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- ChuChu Rocket!
- Drill Dozer
- Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
- F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
- Game & Watch Gallery 4
- Golden Sun
- Golden Sun: The Lost Age
- Gunstar Super Heroes
- Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town
- Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
- Kirby and the Amazing Mirror
- Koro Koro Puzzle Happy Panechu!
- Kur Kuru Kururin
- Lufia: The Ruins of Lore
- Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga
- Mario Golf: Advance Tour
- Mario Kart: Super Circuit
- Mario Party Advance
- Mario Tennis: Power Tour
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong
- Mega Man Battle Network 2
- Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team ProtoMan
- Mega Man Zero 3
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid: Zero Mission
- Mr. Driller 2
- Ninja Five-O
- Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
- Pokemon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation
- Tactics Ogre: The Knight of Lodis
- The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
- Wario Land 4
- Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Based on how Nintendo has released the Nintendo 64 games on Nintendo Switch Online, it's likely if GBA games come to the service, they will be staggered. What this means is that instead of all the GBA games coming at once, there will be a handful to start with, with more added on a monthly basis. But again, Nintendo hasn't announced any plans to bring GBA games to Nintendo Switch Online at all, so fans should keep their expectations in check for now.
If GBA games do come to Nintendo Switch Online, it will be interesting to see if original Game Boy and Game Boy Color games join the lineup, too. Nintendo has a few other platforms it could draw on to bolster the Nintendo Switch Online lineup as well, though for now all fans are guaranteed are NES, SNES, Genesis, and Nintendo 64 games.
Source: Nintendo Everything